The David Koech Commission, established in 1999, was tasked with evaluating and making

recommendations for the Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) program in Kenya. The
commission's primary concerns and recommendations focused on several key areas:

Concerns of the Koech Commission

1. Quality of Education :

- There was a lack of standardization in ECDE programs, leading to inconsistencies in the quality of
education provided across different regions.

- Insufficient training and qualification of ECDE teachers, which affected the quality of instruction and
care given to children.

2. Access and Equity :

- Limited access to ECDE services, especially in rural and marginalized communities.

- Socioeconomic disparities that hindered equal access to quality early childhood education for all
children.

3. Curriculum Issues :

- The existing curriculum was found to be outdated and not aligned with the developmental needs of
young children.

- A need for a more holistic and child-centered approach to learning was identified.

4. Infrastructure and Resources :

- Poor infrastructure and inadequate resources for ECDE centers, including learning materials, facilities,
and safety measures.

- Lack of parental and community involvement in early childhood education programs.

5. Policy and Institutional Framework :

- Fragmented policies governing ECDE, with inadequate coordination among various stakeholders.

- Lack of a clear legal framework to support the implementation of ECDE programs effectively.
Recommendations of the Koech Commission

1. Curriculum Development:

- Develop a comprehensive and standardized curriculum that meets the developmental needs of
children aged 0-6 years.

- Emphasize play-based learning and experiential activities that promote holistic development.

2. Teacher Training and Professional Development :

- Enhance training programs for ECDE teachers to improve their skills and qualifications.

- Establish a system for ongoing professional development and support for educators in the ECDE
sector.

3. Infrastructure Improvement :

- Invest in building and renovating ECDE centers to ensure they are safe, conducive, and well-resourced
for learning.

- Provide necessary learning materials and resources to facilitate effective teaching and learning.

4. Policy and Regulatory Framework :

- Formulate a national policy for ECDE that addresses issues of access, equity, and quality.

- Strengthen the regulatory framework to ensure compliance with established standards in ECDE
service delivery.

5. Community Involvement and Awareness :

- Promote awareness of the importance of early childhood education within communities.

- Encourage parental and community involvement in ECDE programs to foster support and
engagement.

6. Financing ECDE :

- Allocate adequate financial resources to support the expansion and improvement of ECDE services.

- Explore partnerships with private sectors and NGOs to enhance funding for early childhood education
initiatives.
The Koech Commission's recommendations aimed to create a more equitable, accessible, and high-
quality ECDE system in Kenya, recognizing the crucial role of early childhood education in the overall
development of children.

2.

The National Policy Framework on Early Childhood Development (ECD) adopted in Kenya in 2006 is a
significant document that aimed to enhance the quality and accessibility of early childhood education
and development services. Here are the key significances of this policy framework:

1. Comprehensive Approach to Early Childhood Development

- The framework emphasizes a holistic view of early childhood, recognizing the importance of physical,
cognitive, emotional, and social development in the formative years.

- It encourages the integration of health, nutrition, education, and protection services for young
children.

2. Guidance for Implementation

- Provides a clear framework for the implementation of early childhood programs, outlining roles and
responsibilities for various stakeholders, including government agencies, communities, and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs).

- It offers guidelines for developing and standardizing curricula, ensuring consistency across different
regions and institutions.

3. Access and Equity

- Aims to improve access to quality ECD services, particularly in marginalized and underserved
communities.

- The policy emphasizes the need to reduce disparities in access to early childhood education, ensuring
that all children, regardless of their socio-economic background, have the opportunity to benefit from
ECD programs.

4. Quality Assurance

- Establishes standards for quality assurance in early childhood education and development, focusing
on teacher qualifications, learning environments, and curriculum.
 - The framework calls for regular monitoring and evaluation of ECD programs to maintain high
standards and improve service delivery.

5. Strengthening Institutional Frameworks

- The policy seeks to strengthen the institutional frameworks that govern ECD by promoting
coordination among different government sectors and stakeholders.

- It encourages the establishment of inter-sectoral collaboration to address the multifaceted needs of

young children and their families.

6. Community Involvement

- Recognizes the role of families and communities in early childhood development, encouraging their
participation in the planning and implementation of ECD programs.

- The framework promotes awareness and advocacy efforts to engage communities in supporting early
childhood education.

7. Resource Allocation

- The policy highlights the need for adequate resource allocation to support the development of ECD
programs, advocating for increased funding from both public and private sectors.

- It emphasizes the importance of investing in early childhood development as a means of promoting

long-term socio-economic development.

8. Legal Framework and Rights

- The framework aligns with international conventions and national laws that recognize the rights of
children, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

- It provides a legal basis for promoting and protecting children's rights to education, health, and
overall development.

9. Promotion of Research and Data Collection

- Encourages research and data collection on early childhood development to inform policy decisions
and improve practices.

- The policy framework advocates for evidence-based approaches to ECD, ensuring that programs are
grounded in research findings.
10. Partnerships and Collaboration

- Promotes partnerships between government, civil society, the private sector, and international
organizations to enhance the effectiveness of ECD programs.

- It recognizes that collaboration is essential for pooling resources, expertise, and support for early
childhood initiatives.

The Nairobi Conference on Education for All (EFA) , held in 2003, was a significant event aimed at
promoting quality education for all children in Kenya and addressing various challenges within the
educational sector. Here are the key objectives and recommendations from the conference:

Objectives of the Nairobi Conference (2003)

1. Promote Universal Access to Education :

- Ensure that all children, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or disability, have access to
quality education.

2. Enhance Quality of Education :

- Focus on improving the quality of education at all levels, particularly in early childhood and primary
education, to ensure that learners acquire essential skills and knowledge.

3. Address Educational Disparities :

- Identify and address disparities in access to education among various populations, particularly
marginalized groups, including girls, children with disabilities, and those from remote areas.

4. Strengthen Governance and Management of Education :

- Improve the governance and management of the education sector to enhance accountability and
efficiency in resource allocation and program implementation.

5. Promote Lifelong Learning :

 - Encourage the development of a culture of lifelong learning, recognizing that education extends
beyond formal schooling and includes informal and non-formal learning opportunities.

6. Foster Community Participation :

- Engage communities in the planning and implementation of educational programs, promoting local
ownership and support for education initiatives.

7. Strengthen Policy Frameworks :

- Advocate for the development and strengthening of policies that support education for all, including
legal frameworks that protect children's rights to education.

Recommendations of the Nairobi Conference (2003)

1. Investment in Education :

- Increase government investment in education to enhance infrastructure, teaching resources, and

learning materials, ensuring that schools are adequately equipped to provide quality education.

2. Improvement of Teacher Training :

- Enhance the training and professional development of teachers to improve teaching practices and
ensure that educators are well-equipped to meet the needs of diverse learners.

3. Curriculum Reform :

- Review and reform the curriculum to make it more relevant to the needs of learners and the demands
of the labor market, emphasizing practical skills and critical thinking.

4. Focus on Early Childhood Education :

- Expand access to quality early childhood education programs to lay a strong foundation for lifelong
learning and development.

5. Address Gender Disparities :

- Implement targeted interventions to eliminate gender disparities in education, including programs

that encourage girls’ enrollment and retention in schools.
6. Promote Inclusive Education :

- Develop and implement policies that promote inclusive education for children with disabilities and
those from marginalized communities.

7. Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation :

- Establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of education
programs and policies, ensuring that they meet the set objectives and adapt to changing needs.

8. Foster Partnerships :

- Encourage partnerships between government, civil society, the private sector, and international
organizations to leverage resources and expertise for improving education.

9. Awareness Campaigns :

- Launch awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of education for all and engage
communities in supporting educational initiatives.

10. Research and Data Collection :

- Promote research and data collection on education to inform policy decisions and practice, ensuring
that educational programs are evidence-based and responsive to the needs of learners.